What's Wrong with Van Garderen?

[Rajna31]

I don't think him being overrated would explain his Tour. That would be correct if he rode like Evans. But he got whipped by Greipel on Ventoux for Christ's sake. Maybe he already gave up, but on Ax-3 it wasn't much better. Nobody could say that he is not in the top50 climbers in this race.

He clearly mistimed his peak, although it might not have been a mistiming since at elast this way he won a race, that form would be enough for an outside top10, more like a top20. But there has to be something else, he should do better even in mediocre shape. On the TT, he started out strong, then faded way below his capabilites. He is failing like Pinot and he has this fear+illness combo, something psychological or physical has to be with TJVG as well.

 

[Christian]

I don't think him being overrated would explain his Tour. That would be correct if he rode like Evans. But he got whipped by Greipel on Ventoux for Christ's sake. Maybe he already gave up, but on Ax-3 it wasn't much better. Nobody could say that he is not in the top50 climbers in this race.

He clearly mistimed his peak, although it might not have been a mistiming since at elast this way he won a race, that form would be enough for an outside top10, more like a top20. But there has to be something else, he should do better even in mediocre shape. On the TT, he started out strong, then faded way below his capabilites. He is failing like Pinot and he has this fear+illness combo, something psychological or physical has to be with TJVG as well.

Completely agree

 

[PCutter]

I don't think him being overrated would explain his Tour. That would be correct if he rode like Evans. But he got whipped by Greipel on Ventoux for Christ's sake. Maybe he already gave up, but on Ax-3 it wasn't much better. Nobody could say that he is not in the top50 climbers in this race.

He clearly mistimed his peak, although it might not have been a mistiming since at elast this way he won a race, that form would be enough for an outside top10, more like a top20. But there has to be something else, he should do better even in mediocre shape. On the TT, he started out strong, then faded way below his capabilites. He is failing like Pinot and he has this fear+illness combo, something psychological or physical has to be with TJVG as well.

Seriously, if his peak was beating Mick Rogers first ride back from a break and a bunch of American domestic racers than his peak is over rated.

 

[Afrank]

Seriously, if his peak was beating Mick Rogers first ride back from a break and a bunch of American domestic racers than his peak is over rated.

Jesus christ, we get it already, you guys think he's overrated. It doesn't matter that the the people he beat during his peak happened to be Rogers and US domestic riders. The point is he was in top form for that race because it was the race he wanted to win. And he was unable to maintain that form through to the Tour.

 

[gustienordic]

I don't think him being overrated would explain his Tour. That would be correct if he rode like Evans. But he got whipped by Greipel on Ventoux for Christ's sake. Maybe he already gave up, but on Ax-3 it wasn't much better. Nobody could say that he is not in the top50 climbers in this race.

He clearly mistimed his peak, although it might not have been a mistiming since at elast this way he won a race, that form would be enough for an outside top10, more like a top20. But there has to be something else, he should do better even in mediocre shape. On the TT, he started out strong, then faded way below his capabilites. He is failing like Pinot and he has this fear+illness combo, something psychological or physical has to be with TJVG as well.

He might be off form, but I think part of it is his inconsistency. He has had some really miss days in the past, in TTs and mountains especially.

Missing his peak also shouldn't really have as big as an impact as it is having. I just think TJ is not a good climber and probably will not be a GT winner unless the GT is crazy TT heavy.

 

[Rajna31]

Seriously, if his peak was beating Mick Rogers first ride back from a break and a bunch of American domestic racers than his peak is over rated.

I wrote that his ToC performance would probably not even be a top10 at the Tour, so yeah. But again, he dominated that race, what winning margin would have been suffficient to call it a good performance? Since there was no real competition we don't really know how good he was there.

 

[Rajna31]

He might be off form, but I think part of it is his inconsistency. He has had some really miss days in the past, in TTs and mountains especially.

Missing his peak also shouldn't really have as big as an impact as it is having. I just think TJ is not a good climber and probably will not be a GT winner unless the GT is crazy TT heavy.

Well, if he were just inconsistent/pure TTer then he would have had at least one okay result in this race wouldn't he? But he is so bad that it has to be more than inconsistency/overrated climbing/mistimed peak or a combination of the 3. I am positive there is something else going on, which we may never find out.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

One word, mistimed his peak, that's the main point.

Mis-timing peaks is for losers. Winners maintain their peak all year long. This is a new era.

Now, I'm not a fan of TJVG, but to say he's overrated is funny.

Perform incredibly and you're either a "revelation" or "not normal". Perform subpar and you're "overrated".

The problem with cycling seems to be the fans just as much as it is anything else. (edit, not referring to you Afrank, but some of the others making the 'overrated' comments.)

 

[Archibald]

That's a different story though. Wiggans changed teams, became a leader, had all the pressure, etc. TJ is still playing second fiddle, and I think his team realizes he isn't as good as the hype makes him seem. Otherwise they whould give him leadership...

Jesus christ, we get it already, you guys think he's overrated. It doesn't matter that the the people he beat during his peak happened to be Rogers and US domestic riders. The point is he was in top form for that race because it was the race he wanted to win. And he was unable to maintain that form through to the Tour.

reckon this (bolded) illustrates more - I don't think he's puting in the effort. Bit of a dummy spit on the leadership bizzo that was going on earlier in the season.
The only footage I saw of him on Ax3, he was lollygagging with Morabito...
I don't think he's really up for this one. Doesn't want to play second-fiddle.
Maybe thinks more highly of himself, perhaps?
Anyway, you get the jist...

 

[ElChingon]

Why do we need two thread for him?

He hasn't hit the dedicated thread count for him yet. But since he's overrated I doubt another thread will get far.

 

[theyoungest]

Van Garderen found his ideal parcours last year, just one steep climb (the Belles Filles, where he got 30th or something) and the rest just tempo climbs. And two long, flattish time trials. If such a parcours were to be chosen again, he could again do very well.

 

[Ruby United]

Peaked? When did he peak? You must mean last year.

Yes, overrated (extremely).

Tour of California.

 

[Sophistic82]

he is so much off, that cant be just because of a less favourable course, guess he put too much pressure on himself and overtrained.

 

[Bavarianrider]

Peaked to early.
Sadly it simply ain't possible to race The Cali Tour and the Tour on a high level. That's why i keep repeating the claim to change the date of Cali Tour.

 

[vecchias]

While Cadel is doing Giro/Tour, it is so frustrating to see Tejay suffering. Ok, Cadel is far behind but given the race conditions and his age, he is still having an pretty acceptable Tour after a great Giro. But Tejay?

Let's not have high hopes of him. He will probably be a good one-week GC rider but Grand Tours.. I doubt it. If BMC decide to make a better schedule for him, maybe we can see some better results in Grand Tours, too. Until than, no high hopes.

 

[Gloin22]

Don't get the comments he's overrated.

Yes, he has the hype - but a rider who finished 5th at the Tour last year and is now finishing 55th is nothing to do with overatadeness and there must be something wrong with him ffs...

He definitely mis timed his peak, but there could be something else wrong with him too.

 

[movingtarget]

Either he is ill or after losing so much time early just lacks motivation. He tried in the breakaway but did not have the legs anyway. I think Talansky is just as good if not better.

 

[Gung Ho Gun]

Peaked to early.
Sadly it simply ain't possible to race The Cali Tour and the Tour on a high level. That's why i keep repeating the claim to change the date of Cali Tour.

Cali #2 Rogers is about 50 minutes ahead of Van Garderen on GC though

 

[BigC24]

I think he gave up after he bonked on the first mountain stage. He seems to give up quickly when there is nothing in it for him.

 

[Clemson Cycling]

While Cadel is doing Giro/Tour, it is so frustrating to see Tejay suffering. Ok, Cadel is far behind but given the race conditions and his age, he is still having an pretty acceptable Tour after a great Giro. But Tejay?

Let's not have high hopes of him. He will probably be a good one-week GC rider but Grand Tours.. I doubt it. If BMC decide to make a better schedule for him, maybe we can see some better results in Grand Tours, too. Until than, no high hopes.

Lets not forget this guy is only 24. Look at what Chris Froome was doing at 24. Lets give Tejay a few years as most riders peak between 26 and 32.

 

[Afrank]

Either he is ill or after losing so much time early just lacks motivation. He tried in the breakaway but did not have the legs anyway. I think Talansky is just as good if not better.

The reason he is so far back now is entirely due to motivation I think. After he was dropped on the first mountain stage and fell out of any contention he's not been trying really hard to stay with the leaders on the following GC stages sense there's really not much point too it.

I am pleased to see him go in the break a couple stages earlier though. That shows he doesn't have zero motivation. He's still looking at getting some kind of result this Tour.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

van garderen like I've said before is increidbly overrated on real climbing. I know he's even worse than that this tour, but that's all to motivation after dsropping on the first long pyrenee climb

 

[maxmartin]

Don't get the comments he's overrated.

Yes, he has the hype - but a rider who finished 5th at the Tour last year and is now finishing 55th is nothing to do with overatadeness and there must be something wrong with him ffs...

He definitely mis timed his peak, but there could be something else wrong with him too.

Last year routs suits him much better, two ultra long ITT plus less MTF. Coupled with maybe a little fitness issue, I am not surprised he is at 55th. Things like this happens, look at Pinot, last year top, look at where he is now.

 

[jordan5000]

There's nothing wrong with him, it's just that too much was expected of him. Last year he came 5th, but before that 82nd (although he would've been 22) so last year was probably a big over achievement.

 

[Afrank]

Thought he put in a pretty good performance today. Was never going to beat the in-form GC guys, but a good ride nonetheless. Showed he still has the talent/potential and doesn't have such low confidence at this point that he isn't going to even try.